A new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that by 2030, artificial intelligence (AI) could displace 92 million jobs, approximately 8% of the global workforce, as automation continues to transform industries.

The report highlights that 41% of employers worldwide expect to downsize their workforce due to the increasing integration of AI technologies.

Roles such as graphic designers and legal secretaries are already being replaced by generative AI tools that can perform tasks once handled by humans.

At the same time, the WEF identifies AI and big data as the fastest-growing skill areas, with networks, cybersecurity, and technology literacy closely following.

However, the report also underscores a significant challenge: many workers lack the skills necessary to adapt to these changing job roles.

While job losses are expected, the WEF forecasts that AI will create new job opportunities as well.

Employers anticipate the emergence of 170 million new roles by 2030, leading to a net job growth of 7%, or 78 million jobs globally.

Furthermore, businesses are focusing on retraining efforts, with 77% of employers planning to train their current staff to work alongside AI technologies.

The WEF concludes that while AI will undoubtedly enhance productivity, it is critical for workers to receive the necessary support and training to adjust to these changes.

Without such efforts, millions may face job displacement.

Firefighters continued their relentless efforts overnight Saturday to control the devastating wildfires spreading around Los Angeles, as strong winds fanned the flames, threatening previously untouched neighborhoods.

The death toll has now reached 16, with fires wreaking havoc across the city and overwhelming thousands of firefighters and residents alike.

Despite heroic aerial firefighting operations, including water drops, the Palisades Fire expanded, pushing eastward towards the Getty Center art museum and north into the densely populated San Fernando Valley.

“We’re a nervous wreck,” said Sarah Cohen, a resident of Tarzana, whose home was at risk. “Every time they drop water, it gets better. But then it gets worse again.”

Images from Mandeville Canyon showed homes consumed by flames, with massive walls of fire encroaching upon others.

Firefighters are battling rapidly intensifying winds, which are expected to persist, worsening fire conditions.

The National Weather Service warned that critical fire-weather conditions would continue into next week, potentially causing ongoing fires to spread or new ones to ignite.

As of Saturday, the Palisades Fire was 11 percent contained and had scorched 23,600 acres, while the Eaton Fire had burned 14,000 acres and was 15 percent contained. More than 12,000 structures have been damaged, although not all were homes, with many including sheds and outbuildings.

The fires are also putting additional strain on an already tight housing market, as thousands are displaced, looking for temporary homes. One renter, Brian, whose apartment was destroyed, noted that the influx of displaced residents would make finding housing even harder.

“I’m back on the market with tens of thousands of people,” he said. “That doesn’t bode well.”

Looting has been reported in some areas, prompting a curfew and police and National Guard checkpoints to secure disaster zones.

However, long queues have left many residents frustrated as they attempt to return to assess the damage to their homes.

“I just want closure,” said Janelle, who knew her home was gone but needed to see it for herself. “I see the photos, I see the videos, and I just want to see it with my own eyes.”

Meanwhile, criticism of city management continued, as residents voiced anger over dry fire hydrants during the initial firefighting efforts.

Despite rumors of a rift between Mayor Karen Bass and Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, city officials held a united front, vowing to focus on overcoming the disaster.

Among the tragic losses, former Australian child star Rory Sykes, known for his role in the 1990s British TV show “Kiddy Kapers,” was confirmed dead in the Malibu fires.

His mother, Shelley Sykes, shared her heartbreak on social media, announcing her son’s passing.

As recovery efforts continue, teams with cadaver dogs are combing through the rubble, with several people still missing, raising fears that the death toll could rise.

Authorities are conducting a major investigation into the cause of the fires, involving the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna promised a thorough probe into whether the fires were deliberately set.

“If this is a criminal act, we need to hold whoever did this responsible,” Luna said, urging anyone with information to come forward.

While many wildfires are natural, experts warn that urban sprawl and climate change, driven by human activity, are making wildfires more destructive and frequent, putting lives and property at greater risk.

President Bola Tinubu has left Abuja for Abu Dhabi to participate in the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in the United Arab Emirates.

The president departed Nigeria’s capital city at 6:30 pm on Saturday, with the summit scheduled to take place from January 12 to 18.

According to a statement from presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s trip is at the invitation of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The summit, themed “The Nexus of Next; Supercharging Sustainable Progress,” aims to bring together global leaders, policymakers, businesses, and civil society leaders to discuss solutions for accelerating sustainable development and advancing socioeconomic progress.

Onanuga added that ADSW, held annually for over 15 years, serves as a platform for fostering multi-stakeholder cooperation in addressing global challenges and driving economic transformation towards a sustainable future.